Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Durham Holiday Show Saturday, December 7

I will be showing some of my seasonal selections at the huge Block Party Holiday Art and Craft Show in downtown Durham.  Look for me in the Trotter Building. The event features over 50 vendors and will be an all day affair located between Riggsbee, Foster and Geer Streets.

I will have my new jacket, Butterfly Shrugs, a great selection of fun skirts, berets and gloves made from recycled sweaters, as well as accessories, all perfect for gift giving or your festive events.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Exciting Designs at Recent Events

What a fun night at the fashion show & auction held by ActivateGood.org on November 9th!  Lots of photos on their website of all of the fun ensembles by local designers included on the runway.  My designs raised $350 for the non-profit's work and are shown below on my gorgeous model, Jessica Grace Booker,  The jacket is a lightweight casual denim fabric detailed in patent.  Pockets are pieced over pink/lavender silk dupioni using lace and cut velvet representing the treasured life skills participants in Step Up Ministry receive.  This piece work design is also used on the princess line dress.  The semi-formal dress is a pink/lavender silk dupioni with hand-dyed silk chiffon sleeves which can be worn on or off the shoulder.  Trim detail appears both on the front and the low back of the dress (not shown).  The long vest has side pockets, slightly capped sleeves, a high collar and is also edged in patent.  The style, represents the confidence participants leave the program with as they enter back into the community, employed and giving back.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Raiment designs in 2013 Couture for a Cause!

Check out www.ActivateGood.org for full details on Couture for a Cause.  

I have gone through the application and jury process, and was accepted to design for this annual fundraising event.  Local designers create garments in two categories which will be modeled on the runway and auctioned off with proceeds to benefit the work of Activate Good.  Each designer will present a garment of courture/art to wear and ready to wear as inspired by a selected non-profit that is supported in part by Activate Good.  You can see why this opportunity is an honor and very exciting to every part of me. 

I am paired with Step Up Ministry which trains, assists and encourages individuals who are coming out of the prison system to obtain solid employment and pursue their dreams.  Well, you will find out more clearly what they do by, yes, GOING TO THEIR WEBSITE!

Speaking of websites, I am in the research and development stage of getting one up and running.  Lots of things to do as November 9th is this event and November 16th is the Fall Fashion Show and Expo.  

All I can tell you about my designs is that they will reflect my commitment to incorporating cast-off items which will be seeing new life and that they will be a tad dramatic but very wearable.  Pictures and postings on the ongoing design process will come later.  This week I hope to finalize my designs, meet & measure my model, and roll up my sleeves!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

RAIMENT to exhibit at the FALL FASHION EXPO 11/16/13

So excited to have been accepted to set up my booth at this event.  Look for RAIMENT - for the Fancy in You! 


HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO COME BY - BUY!!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

RED HERO CAPE and Great meeting with smart ladies from RALEIGH REDRESS!

Check out this great organization that is right up my alley (although active since 2009, I just learned about it recently)!  They assist designers in getting their products seen and sold.  Suggestions for me were to return to using the name and brand Raiment for the Fancy in You rather than Sewing for the Ages.  This I am looking into.  While I still use Raiment for much of my line, Sewing for the Ages was created to encompass designs for any age, for theatre, costume events, or just fanciful attire.  It also included the offering of custom classes.  Class offerings were not seized upon and may or may not happen in the future.  Currently, my time is devoted to creating inventory and getting it through the sale process in various venues.  I am definitely learning more and more about marketing in this on line world.  Your thoughts?
PLEASE STAY TUNED AS THINGS CHANGE AND GROW.

Meantime, the shiny red HERO cape is being well received.  Where is your HERO?  Selling these for $25 and remember, they hold a secret pocket for your personal Thank You Note and later for the Hero's secret.
See also on ETSY.  Search Sewing4theages - Hero Cape.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

THE HERO CAPE HAS ARRIVED AFTER MANY YEARS IN THE "TO DO" SECTION OF MY BRAIN!

Who is the HERO in your day?  
How many times do you have the opportunity to recognize a HERO?  Maybe your Hero is a child now in the midst of a serious challenge or that stranger that helped you with a flat tire.  Your Hero might be a friend being celebrated for years of faithfulness, perhaps a neighbor that mowed your lawn when you were unable.  Your Hero can come in any gender or age, amazing us with their sacrifice and courage in going that extra mile for us or for others.  The first recipient of my HERO CAPE design is a 3-yr.old boy just diagnosed with leukemia and bone cancer facing 2-3 years of chemo and not certain what else.  His Aunt wanted to send him some fun and encouragement.  I didn't mention that the cape has a pocket on the inside with a suggested type of "YOU ARE MY HERO BECAUSE...." card to be included and in some cases, to be kept as a reminder of that stand up and fly time.

Consider giving your Thank You in the form of THE HERO CAPE.  (Your recipient might even pass it on to their personal hero when the time is right, birthing a new friend and family tradition in our world.)

I have photographed the cape in the standard size which can be worn by a child or adult.  This is a lined version I am retailing at $30 for now.  Soon to be photographed are unlined versions for a tad less. 
Contact me to pick one up or to see where you might find them in the future for purchase.  I hope to launch !! these at the next Saturday morning Durham Craft Market if there is no rain in the forecast since rain and dampness does not favor fabric products.

     919-412-6824

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Introducing Butterfly Shrugs and Float Coats

Introducing two new collections from Raiment --for the fancy in You!  Special event items for those Diva dates - no two are alike.  Created in gorgeous chiffons, silks, and lightweight knits, each is hand stitched and lovingly embellished. In the photos below, I first show a cut velvet with matching (and optional) scarf, luscious in the early fall and late winter.  Spring and summer selections are shown on the following collage-style presentations.  

These styles were first shown at The Designers Uptown Market at Lafayette Village in Raleigh on May 25th, 2013. 

Gilded Pallete Gallery allowed me to "pop up" at the June 2nd Friday Art Event in Wake Forest.  At least one Saturday a month through November, I will have these, as well as my children's and accessory lines on display for sale or for custom orders at The Durham Craft Market in the park at Foster Street across from The Durham Farmers's Market.  Other locations to be announced.


PURCHASE A PRE-MADE ITEM NOW AT $70-$90, OR I CAN CREATE A PIECE SIZED AND STYLED JUST FOR YOU!  CALL ME AT 919-412-6824 for an appointment.